Baby surrendered at Oviedo Fire Station under state law

The Oviedo Fire Department received an infant that was surrendered by its parent under a safe haven law that gives them the option of handing over a newborn baby to local authorities anonymously.

Fire Chief Lars White said the parent brought the healthy child to Fire Station 46 on Alexandria Boulevard Friday night and they transported the newborn to a local hospital for a medical assessment.

This is the third time a baby has been surrendered at the fire station, the ninth in Seminole County and the 183rd child in the state since the law went into effect in 2000.

"One thing we've learned is not to be judgmental. People have different crises in their life," White said. "It offers are alternative to parents struggling with this."

White is the Seminole County chapter coordinator for A Safe Haven for Newborns Foundation, a non-profit that helps train local emergency responders, hospital workers and law enforcement on the law's provisions.

Parents have up to seven days after a baby is born to make the decision to surrender an infant to a local fire station or hospital and prevent abandonment or other tragic consequences.

Leaving a baby anywhere other than a "Safe Haven" facility could result in criminal charges, the law states.

Just last month, a Polk County teen allegedly strangled her baby to death shortly after delivering it inside her bathroom. She now faces first-degree murder charges.

White said he was present the last time a baby was given up at his department. The law requires parents to physically pass the child to personnel.

"It one of those laws that you feel good about," he said, recalling a time when a parent drove from three counties away in a tropical storm to leave their child with Seminole County authorities.

Once surrendered, a state-licensed adoption agency will pick up the newborn within 24 to 48 hours to begin identifying prospective parents.

White said the agencies usually have a 30-day window before the court makes a decision on parental rights. Parents who change their minds can appeal to a judge within that time frame.

The foundation has a toll-free, confidential, multilingual hotline for parents struggling with a decision.

Anyone who needs help can call 1-800-767-2229 to talk to a volunteer or access resources.